Demolition begins at former Havering College site to make way for 120 new homes

Demolition work on the former Quarles campus site of Havering College in Harold Hill has begun.

The college site was vacated in 2020 and plans by Bellway and the development company for Havering Council – Mercury Land Holdings – to build 120 new homes there received planning permission in February 2022.

Demolition could not start until a small colony of bats, a protected species which had occupied some of the disused buildings, could be securely relocated by a specialist team.

This work has now been carried out, and the demolition of the existing buildings can now take place, paving the way for the new development, which will be known as Roe Wood Park.

The new homes will include 73 houses and apartments for private sale and 47 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. The new affordable homes will go to local families on the Council’s Housing Register.

The development will also include new green open space including a new public park, play space for children and a series of biodiversity measures, such as log piles, bug hotels and bird boxes.

David Burns, Managing Director of Bellway London Partnerships, said:

“The demolition work that is beginning now will pave the way for the construction of these new homes, which will provide a much-needed and sustainable boost to the housing capacity of Havering.

“The development will put this disused and derelict site to good use, creating an attractive new neighbourhood and meeting the demand for more homes in the area at the same time.

“The new affordable housing will also provide high-quality homes for local people who cannot afford to buy their own place and create a new park for local residents to enjoy.”

Garry Green, Director at Mercury Land Holdings, said:

“As a wholly owned company of the London Borough of Havering we are delighted to have received the support and commitment of the council to enable this development to proceed in collaboration with Bellway. It is particularly pleasing to be providing 47 affordable homes for the council, 18 of which are three-bedroom houses for rent.”

With demolition work now beginning, Bellway anticipates starting construction of the first homes later this year, with the first plots released for sale this autumn and a sales office and showhome due to open in September.

The first residents are likely to be able to move into their new homes in 2024 and the overall project is expected to take three years to complete.

To find out more about Roe Wood Park, please visit https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk/new-homes/london-partnerships/roe-wood-park.